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Lions Lowdown

Join a discussion at 3 p.m. on Thursday about the Detroit Lions, the draft and free agency. The NFL draft is just three weeks away. Everyone seems to have a different idea of what the Lions should do with the 23rd overall pick.

Welcome to today's Lions chat. The draft is just 3 weeks from tonight. Ask any questions about anything and I'll do my best to answer.

by Paula Pasche 4/9/2015 7:01:48 PM

Having a few computer issues, hang in there .

by Paula Pasche 4/9/2015 7:04:57 PM

OK,I'm back. Let's get rolling.

by Paula Pasche 4/9/2015 7:08:13 PM

Despite the huge success that the Lions D-line had, last year, it seems the brass is not concerned about losing the three best DTs and a surprise DE, in Johnson. What are you hearing about the D-line?

by greenbil4/9/2015 7:08:16 PM

I was surprised they didn't want to keep George Johnson. He was just such a good fit last season. They have til Monday to match the offer but it looks like they might pass. They do have enough DEs - Ansah, Jones, Tapp, Devin Taylor and Larry Webster. But Johnson was a proven commodity. They did want to keep Suh but had a price limit. I do think Kris Kocurek and Jim Washburn can coach these guys up. They can still add from the draft. Yes, I'm a little surprised at what they've done - or haven't done on the D-line.

by Paula Pasche 4/9/2015 7:10:53 PM

Gordon or Gurley 1 st round?

by Ali Ali4/9/2015 7:10:56 PM

Either one would be a little of a surprise. It's been a few years since any team has drafted a running back in the first round. They did bring Todd Gurley in for a pre-draft visit.

by Paula Pasche 4/9/2015 7:11:53 PM

Do you think they will match the Bucs offer or George Johnson walk? And first round pic...RB of DT??

by Dustin Lackey4/9/2015 7:11:57 PM

It kind of looks like they might let him go. They have until Monday to decide. If they were serious about keeping him in the first place they would have tendered him a second-round offer which would have paide $2.53 million per year. ... First round pick could be just about anyone except a quarterback. I think I would go with DT and then OL, but it really depends on who is available with the 23rd overall pick. They've brought in 2 WRs who are first-round guys - DeVante Parker today and Breshad Perriman last week. It's all a big mystery except Mayhew drafts for the future.

by Paula Pasche 4/9/2015 7:14:19 PM

True of False: If the Lions draft an OT with the first round pick, they would ideally hope to start that rookie at LT and move Reiff to RT to make the OL better.

by Oxen4/9/2015 7:14:30 PM

There are a lot of ifs in that question. It would depend on who they drafted as an OT. If they do draft one it could come down to deciding who goes where in training camp. There is certainly a possibility Reiff could be moved to RT - just a ton of variables. ... It's true that if they draft a first-round OT, they will definitely want him to start.

by Paula Pasche 4/9/2015 7:16:02 PM

Who would you like to see us pick up in the first round? Anyone you really like at the 23rd pick/

by Dustin Lackey4/9/2015 7:16:07 PM

I would look at defensive tackle even though they've got Ngata and Tyrunn Walker who can start. Not much depth at that position. Malcom Brown, Eddie Goldman are two that might be a good fit.

by Paula Pasche 4/9/2015 7:18:57 PM

Seems like every mock has the same name but mayhew has shown with picks like Ebron and rieff that he can go outside the box. Can you give an outside the box 3 round mock draft?

It really feels like a status quo season. They will load up next year when they have cap space and probably as many as 10 draft picks

by Larry4/9/2015 7:22:23 PM

It does have that feel. I think they want to draft 2-3 guys who can start this year. There are not that many holes. And remember getting Tulloch, Van Noy and Nevin Lawson back is almost like getting 3 free agents None of the three were able to play much last season.

by Paula Pasche 4/9/2015 7:23:23 PM

Do you think E. Ebron will need to play a vital role in the success of our offense?

by Dustin Lackey4/9/2015 7:23:37 PM

I think he better have a good offseason, a better training camp and an excellent showing in preseason games. He has flown to Atlanta this offseason to work with Matthew Stafford. That's certainly a good sign that he's serious about getting down to business. I think he was starting to look better toward the end of the season. I'll admit early last season I thought he was a bust, but it takes time. Tight end is not an easy position to learn.

by Paula Pasche 4/9/2015 7:25:05 PM

I have been looking at the teams we are playing and who they added, and it is feeling like an 8-8 year, no playoff. What is your feel?

by Larry4/9/2015 7:25:20 PM

I don't feel that way. Remember this was an 11-5 team last year and had second best defense in NFL. I always think people forget that. The biggest loss was Suh, no doubt. I think they can fill Reggie Bush's shoes in draft. They have not lost a ton of talent. There are not that many holes to fill and they've got 3 guys coming back who played very little last year - Tulloch, Van Noy, Lawson.

by Paula Pasche 4/9/2015 7:27:11 PM

Interior line question. Rodney Austin has been on PQ and they seem interested in keeping him from being picked up from other teams. Is he going to be on the roster this year do you think? Also, has Michael Williams look like a servicable T after his conversion?

by Daniel Omans4/9/2015 7:27:41 PM

Good question. They like Rodney Austin who can play guard or center. He was in tight competition last year in camp with Travis Swanson to be the G/C backup on Sundays. I still think they might sign LG Rob Sims, but I think whoever they get that Austin will have a chance to compete for a starting job. I think he does get forgotten in the mix.

by Paula Pasche 4/9/2015 7:29:14 PM

First round : RBSecond round: DTThird round: CBthoughts?

by Ali Ali4/9/2015 7:29:24 PM

It could happen. They need to fill Reggie Bush's shoes, they can get a quality DT in second round, same with CB in third round. Makes sense.

by Paula Pasche 4/9/2015 7:30:07 PM

who starts at LG week 1?

by mic4/9/2015 7:30:15 PM

I still think they might re-sign LG Rob Sims. If so, he'll start. If not it will be competition between a draft pick and probably Rodney Austin.

by Paula Pasche 4/9/2015 7:30:47 PM

If we loose George Johnson, does that qualify us for another comp pick?

by Larry4/9/2015 7:30:57 PM

I don't believe they'd get a compensatory pick for losing George Johnson.

by Paula Pasche 4/9/2015 7:31:38 PM

If Johnson leaves he adds to a group of former Lions who contributed over 40% of the team's sack total from last year. How do they intend to make up for that void?

by dmac930654/9/2015 7:31:45 PM

Good question. George Johnson had 6 sacks last season and Suh had 8.5. Ngata and Walker should each get a few. I think if Devin Taylor or Larry Webster get more playing time in place of George Johnson they can add to sack totals.

by Paula Pasche 4/9/2015 7:34:23 PM

IMO given equal grades between an OT and DT at23, they should take the OT. This is the year offense needs to sparkle for Lions to succeed.

by Larry4/9/2015 7:34:34 PM

That's a good point. Stafford was sacked a career-high 45 times last season. That's just too much. He has to play better, but he definitely needs better protection too. Plus they need the fun game to improve from last season.

by Paula Pasche 4/9/2015 7:35:51 PM

Do you think Mike Williams may fill the H back role since we have very little at fullback?

by Larry4/9/2015 7:36:14 PM

I'm not sure. They moved Williams from tight end to tackle a year ago. He hasn't seen time at tackle yet. They are creative so I guess that could be a possibility. Williams is another guy that kind of gets forgotten.

by Paula Pasche 4/9/2015 7:38:14 PM

Is Travis Lewis still with the team? He was starting to look pretty good on Special teams.

by Daniel Omans4/9/2015 7:38:21 PM

Yes, Travis is still on the team. He could be a key player on special teams this year. They are looking to upgrade special teams in several areas. It seems to be where he fits best at this point.

by Paula Pasche 4/9/2015 7:40:09 PM

What do you think will be the teams biggest challenge this season?

by Ali Ali4/9/2015 7:40:15 PM

I have a feeling the defense will be fine. I think the offense needs to get off to a fast start. It's hard to say what biggest challenge is since we don't know who's on the roster. But I think overall the pressure will be on the offense.

by Paula Pasche 4/9/2015 7:41:20 PM

First round running backs make me nervous.

by Daniel Omans4/9/2015 7:41:24 PM

You belong to the Mel Kiper School of thought on running backs. He says he would never pick one in the first round. He's got a point. To draft a RB i the first round he must be special.

by Paula Pasche 4/9/2015 7:42:15 PM

If Gurly is available, is it too risky? How do you compare the drop off of Goldman to the kid of Xavier for DT

by Daniel Omans4/9/2015 7:42:26 PM

Todd Gurley definitely a risk. He's coming off ACL surgery in November. He could really be a special player in the NFL, but it's hard to tell due to the knee injury. Also, durability is a question. Cooper is substantially smaller. He's 6-3 and 293, while Goldman is 6-4 and 336. The Lions must like Cooper because they brought him in for pre-draft visit.

by Paula Pasche 4/9/2015 7:47:11 PM

We used to be a very good screen team, but it disappeared last year. Is that a function of Lombardi's new offense?

by Larry4/9/2015 7:47:16 PM

I think it was, but I also think it's a situation that could change this year. Lombardi will tweak his offense for this season based on what worked in 2014. It seems Pettigrew could've been used more on screen passes - he excelled at those in the past. I know what you mean. I do think we'll see some new wrinkles i the offense this season.